The UConn athletic department will have $9M to use "at its discretion" thanks to the "new exclusive sponsorship agreement with Nike," according to Mike Anthony of the HARTFORD COURANT. The remaining $23.45M of the $32.45M Nike deal, which spans seven years, will be "represented by uniforms, apparel, gear and equipment." The sponsorship agreement was a "five-year extension to an existing contract that was set to expire" after the '17-18 academic year. There will be "annual product allotments from Nike" starting at a value of $3.2M in the first year and increasing by $50,000 through the life of the deal. Men's basketball would "receive $25,000 for reaching the Final Four and $25,000 more for winning a national championship." Women's basketball "payouts are $10,000 for the Final Four and $15,000 for a national championship." Football team incentives "include $10,000 for playing in a conference championship game." Women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma is the "only coach at UConn with a pre-existing personal services contract and that deal will not be altered by the university's sponsorship contract" (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/28).
